Older Americans Struggle with Healthcare Affordability Compared to Other Nations
Older Americans face significant financial barriers to healthcare access,
particularly when compared to seniors in other high-income countries. The
2024 "Mirror, Mirror" report from the Commonwealth Fund reveals that despite
programs like Medicare, many U.S. seniors are burdened by high out-of-pocket
costs, including premiums, deductibles, and co-pays, which make it harder
for them to afford necessary care.
In contrast, countries such as the Netherlands,Germany, and the United Kingdom have universal health systems that provide
more affordable options, with low or no cost-related barriers to accessing
care. For example, in the U.K., the National Health Service (NHS) offers
comprehensive services without direct costs at the point of care, while
Germany caps out-of-pocket expenses based on income.
In these countries, seniors are less likely to skip treatments or forgo
medications due to cost, a trend seen more frequently in the U.S., where
nearly one in five older adults report such challenges. These findings
highlight the stark disparities in healthcare affordability, with the U.S.
ranking lower on accessibility and affordability despite its higher
healthcare spending.
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